July 31 is the feast day of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. St. Ignatius passed away 459 years ago on that day in the year 1556.

During St. Ignatius’ lifetime, the Society of Jesus expanded from seven members to hundreds throughout the world. To keep in touch with his brother Jesuits as well as Church officials and members of foreign nations, St. Ignatius wrote or dictated more than 7,000 letters...

Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; To give and not to count the cost, To fight and not to heed the wounds, To toil and not to seek for rest, To labor and not to ask for reward, Save that of knowing that I do your will.